Our Story
It Started
With a Garden
In 1996, Bill and Verna Brown began sharing vegetables with neighbors in need. That simple act of generosity took root—and grew into The Children’s Table.
Where We Began
One family’s generosity became a community promise
Bill Brown—known throughout the community as “Mr. Bill”—believed that no one should go without food if he had something to share. Together with his wife, Verna, he began giving vegetables from their home garden to local neighbors.
As a foster parent, Bill understood the challenges facing children and families. The Florida Department of Children and Families encouraged him to expand the effort, and a personal response to hunger began growing into an organized community resource.
From the beginning, the work was rooted in dignity, consistency, and care: neighbors helping neighbors, without judgment.
What began with vegetables from a home garden still guides us today: if we have something to share, no neighbor should go hungry.
The founding spirit of Bill and Verna Brown
How the Mission Grew
Thirty years of caring in action
The organization has grown, but the purpose behind it has never changed.
1996 · A garden becomes a mission
Bill and Verna Brown began sharing vegetables from their home garden with neighbors who needed food.
A wider call · Serving more families
As a foster parent, Bill saw how hunger affected families. Encouragement from the Florida Department of Children and Families helped the Browns expand their efforts.
Growing together · Neighbors join the work
Volunteers, donors, and local partners transformed one family’s generosity into an organized, dependable response to rural hunger.
Today · The same promise continues
The Children’s Table provides food distribution, mobile outreach, emergency response, and practical education throughout rural North Central Florida.
A Living Legacy
Mr. Bill’s example still leads the way
At 97 years old, co-founder Bill Brown remains connected to the mission he and Verna began. Their hands-on service, deep community roots, and belief that every person deserves compassion continue to shape The Children’s Table.
Today, volunteers, donors, and local partners carry that legacy forward—providing nutritious food, mobile outreach, emergency assistance, and practical education to rural families.
What We Do Today
Food is the beginning, not the end
Our work responds to immediate hunger while helping build healthier, more resilient communities.
Emergency Response
Practical help when disasters and family emergencies create urgent need.
Community Outreach
Meeting people where they are with dignity, compassion, and few barriers.
What Has Never Changed
Dignity. Compassion. Community.
We believe help should be welcoming and practical. We meet people where they are, respond when hardship strikes, and work alongside the community rather than apart from it.
Every volunteer hour, food donation, financial gift, and local partnership strengthens that promise.
Carry the Story Forward
There is a place for you at the table
Volunteer, support the mission, or help a neighbor find food. Together, we can continue what Bill and Verna started.